As we know by now, Sony-Legacy is going to release ESSENTIAL LEONARD COHEN in October -- 31 remastered songs from Leonard's albums on two CDs. Now we all have the opportunity to express our opinion.
Would you please answer the following question:
If there were one slot left,
which song would YOU choose for
The Essential Leonard Cohen CD:
So Long Marianne or The Master Song?
Go to the front page of The Leonard Cohen Files at http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com and find the box with this poll to enter YOUR choice. Similar poll will be available on the other Cohen sites too.
This thread is also open to your reasoning but don't forget to vote!
Jarkko
PLEASE VOTE: So Long Marianne OR The Master Song ?
PLEASE VOTE: So Long Marianne OR The Master Song ?
Last edited by jarkko on Fri Sep 13, 2002 8:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
I received this email from Jarkko and also from Marie asking me to vote at
their sites. While this does not make it up to level of "Sophie's Choice"
for those of you who are familiar with William Styron's novel, it is,
indeed, a difficult choice for a Cohenist. I plan to email Jarkko this:
It must be "So Long Marianne" as this captures the essense of Leonard's
early Hydra experience which so defined his search for freedom. The picture on the back of the "Songs from a Room" album resonates with the visual image of all that Leonard held dear in those adventurous days-days of laughter, sun, music and love which confirm the beautiful testament to Marianne (a real, live person) who must have inspired much of his first album as well.
Additionally, Leonard tends to end his more recent concerts with this song
as if adding his own imprimatur to a beautiful, melodic creation.
I intend to email Marie to following:
It must be the "Master Song." What other song of Leonard's early work
creates such stunning images of the major themes of his career? Why, Robert Altman said that there was enough in that song for a movie and, indeed, created "McCabe and Mrs. Miller" from the rough structure. The image alone of "Your love was some dust in an old man's cuff" connects directly with images that appear in Leonard's most recent work in "Ten New Songs."
"An ape with Angel glands" holds forth an image that takes us through "Heart with No Companion" and the deeply felt "Coming Back to You."
Just my humble opinion,
Joe
their sites. While this does not make it up to level of "Sophie's Choice"
for those of you who are familiar with William Styron's novel, it is,
indeed, a difficult choice for a Cohenist. I plan to email Jarkko this:
It must be "So Long Marianne" as this captures the essense of Leonard's
early Hydra experience which so defined his search for freedom. The picture on the back of the "Songs from a Room" album resonates with the visual image of all that Leonard held dear in those adventurous days-days of laughter, sun, music and love which confirm the beautiful testament to Marianne (a real, live person) who must have inspired much of his first album as well.
Additionally, Leonard tends to end his more recent concerts with this song
as if adding his own imprimatur to a beautiful, melodic creation.
I intend to email Marie to following:
It must be the "Master Song." What other song of Leonard's early work
creates such stunning images of the major themes of his career? Why, Robert Altman said that there was enough in that song for a movie and, indeed, created "McCabe and Mrs. Miller" from the rough structure. The image alone of "Your love was some dust in an old man's cuff" connects directly with images that appear in Leonard's most recent work in "Ten New Songs."
"An ape with Angel glands" holds forth an image that takes us through "Heart with No Companion" and the deeply felt "Coming Back to You."
Just my humble opinion,
Joe
Way to go, Joe. I think you've got it. For me, I would need to know the other selections, so I could better determine the balance that may be most appropriate. Your reasoning on both is excellent. They're both such different songs, I'd much prefer having to choose between two more-similar ones. Needless to say, I have not voted yet.
~Lizzytysh
~Lizzytysh
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Andrew McGeever
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George.Wright
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The two
Jarkko, i think the intrest generated and the close vote suggests both to be included.
Georges
Georges
I am a right bad ass, dankish prince and I love my Violet to bits.
Hi Henrik,
My guess is that since both he and Sony were interested in our input, that he is involved in the process. I know what you mean about Stranger Song. It seems integral to me. I'm also interested in seeing the entire list....it could make a difference in my vote.
Someone said to me something about his having left Marianne to go out into the world. I've read some poems that apparently have to do with that and his ambivalence, in retrospect. My response was that "Being true to oneself is also an essential part of life. Without his having left a good woman behind, as a result of his dreams [which others always love to judge negatively, and to ex post facto discount them if they don't turn out], we may never have fully realized or been given his message or been privy to its continuity.
Commitment is uncomfortable for many." [There is even some anthropological data supporting its incongruence with us.] I've watched the parting occur in my own life, as well as others', yet what they have experienced and done with their own lives [apart from that presumably ideal partner] is not what they would've done had they remained together/married and done the together/married thing. Leonard was significantly younger when he parted with Marianne and was still very much immersed in the process of discovering who he is. Add that to the depression that has plagued him across time, and it's not difficult to imagine that an earlier relationship [however wonderful] might end. He's had his own regrets related to it. Yet, "I am what I am, for I can be no other" ~ a quote from a longtime friend of mine.
For me, the song holds up in its own right, regardless of whether people impose their "should"s and "should not"s of judgment, with their opinions of his life and decisions regarding his personal relationships. Relationships ending do not have to be bitter.
I'll be so interested to see how it all turns out. I love the Master Song. However, when I think of this compilation in terms of newcomers, I feel perhaps Master Song could be put on a second compilation. For me, I find it very unique [in the context of the "zillions" of love songs written by others] that this one sings the goal of remaining friends, and in positive relationship with one another, though the lover relationship ends. It can certainly be a bitter time, initially, and certainly moreso for the one left behind, yet in the end so much better.
~Lizzytysh
My guess is that since both he and Sony were interested in our input, that he is involved in the process. I know what you mean about Stranger Song. It seems integral to me. I'm also interested in seeing the entire list....it could make a difference in my vote.
Someone said to me something about his having left Marianne to go out into the world. I've read some poems that apparently have to do with that and his ambivalence, in retrospect. My response was that "Being true to oneself is also an essential part of life. Without his having left a good woman behind, as a result of his dreams [which others always love to judge negatively, and to ex post facto discount them if they don't turn out], we may never have fully realized or been given his message or been privy to its continuity.
Commitment is uncomfortable for many." [There is even some anthropological data supporting its incongruence with us.] I've watched the parting occur in my own life, as well as others', yet what they have experienced and done with their own lives [apart from that presumably ideal partner] is not what they would've done had they remained together/married and done the together/married thing. Leonard was significantly younger when he parted with Marianne and was still very much immersed in the process of discovering who he is. Add that to the depression that has plagued him across time, and it's not difficult to imagine that an earlier relationship [however wonderful] might end. He's had his own regrets related to it. Yet, "I am what I am, for I can be no other" ~ a quote from a longtime friend of mine.
For me, the song holds up in its own right, regardless of whether people impose their "should"s and "should not"s of judgment, with their opinions of his life and decisions regarding his personal relationships. Relationships ending do not have to be bitter.
I'll be so interested to see how it all turns out. I love the Master Song. However, when I think of this compilation in terms of newcomers, I feel perhaps Master Song could be put on a second compilation. For me, I find it very unique [in the context of the "zillions" of love songs written by others] that this one sings the goal of remaining friends, and in positive relationship with one another, though the lover relationship ends. It can certainly be a bitter time, initially, and certainly moreso for the one left behind, yet in the end so much better.
~Lizzytysh
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chrisbarratt
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Though I personally prefer The Master Song, I find it strange that "Marianne" be left off any compilation that deems itself to be "essential" as, like it or not, it is one of the defining tracks of Leonards early output. For, they ought to be including all of the first 8 tracks from the first album, as well as "Isaac", "Bird..", ".Nancy" and "Partisan" from the second. 
CHRIS BARRATT, UK
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September_Cohen
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Dear September Leonard,
I agree with what you're saying, as I also feel that for any newcomer ~ or ones who may not analyze as much ~ So Long, Marianne is more accessible. I think in terms of those new to him and unable to afford all his albums within any reasonable time frame. It would really help to know the other inclusions. However, for a beginner, I think of opera....with Puccini, Verdi, etc. being for the newcomers....and further along on the continuum comes Wagner, after they've become accustomed to and developed an affinity for opera itself. Master Song certainly has accessible parts, yet overall, it's much more complex [which I love] yet Marianne is more akin to Puccini for newcomers or ones who may not analyze as much.
~Lizzytysh
I agree with what you're saying, as I also feel that for any newcomer ~ or ones who may not analyze as much ~ So Long, Marianne is more accessible. I think in terms of those new to him and unable to afford all his albums within any reasonable time frame. It would really help to know the other inclusions. However, for a beginner, I think of opera....with Puccini, Verdi, etc. being for the newcomers....and further along on the continuum comes Wagner, after they've become accustomed to and developed an affinity for opera itself. Master Song certainly has accessible parts, yet overall, it's much more complex [which I love] yet Marianne is more akin to Puccini for newcomers or ones who may not analyze as much.
~Lizzytysh